Targeted as ‘grey consumers’, people retiring now participated in the creation of the post-war consumer culture. These consumers have grown older, but have not stopped consuming. Based on extensive ...
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Targeted as ‘grey consumers’, people retiring now participated in the creation of the post-war consumer culture. These consumers have grown older, but have not stopped consuming. Based on extensive analysis over two years, this book examines the engagement of older people with consumer society in Britain since the 1960s. It charts the changes in the experience of later life in the UK over the last fifty years, the rise of the ‘individualised consumer citizen’ and what this means for health and social policies.Less

Ageing in a consumer society : From passive to active consumption in Britain

Ian Rees Jones

Published in print: 2008-09-01

Targeted as ‘grey consumers’, people retiring now participated in the creation of the post-war consumer culture. These consumers have grown older, but have not stopped consuming. Based on extensive analysis over two years, this book examines the engagement of older people with consumer society in Britain since the 1960s. It charts the changes in the experience of later life in the UK over the last fifty years, the rise of the ‘individualised consumer citizen’ and what this means for health and social policies.

This chapter examines the mainstream Marxist critique of the contradictions of consumerism in Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia was heading toward the creation of a capitalist-style “consumer society” by the ...
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This chapter examines the mainstream Marxist critique of the contradictions of consumerism in Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia was heading toward the creation of a capitalist-style “consumer society” by the late 1960s. However, the move toward consumerism did not go unchallenged. Instead, consumer culture and the advertising and marketing that propelled it encountered, early on, staunch and ardent resistance. This chapter considers the place of Marxism in issues surrounding commercial promotion and its role in fashioning popular culture. In particular, it analyzes the arguments of Marxist social critics that consumerism and market culture were among the most important “internal enemies” of Yugoslav socialism. It also discusses Marxist criticisms of the so-called Homo consumens and critics' sustained rhetorical campaign against consumerism. It shows that Yugoslavia's distinctive consumer culture and the commercial promotion that sustained it gave rise to a different sort of egalitarianism based on participation in a new Yugoslav Dream, one rooted in consumption.Less

Fearing It : The Values of Marxism and the Contradictions of Consumerism

Patrick Hyder Patterson

Published in print: 2011-12-02

This chapter examines the mainstream Marxist critique of the contradictions of consumerism in Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia was heading toward the creation of a capitalist-style “consumer society” by the late 1960s. However, the move toward consumerism did not go unchallenged. Instead, consumer culture and the advertising and marketing that propelled it encountered, early on, staunch and ardent resistance. This chapter considers the place of Marxism in issues surrounding commercial promotion and its role in fashioning popular culture. In particular, it analyzes the arguments of Marxist social critics that consumerism and market culture were among the most important “internal enemies” of Yugoslav socialism. It also discusses Marxist criticisms of the so-called Homo consumens and critics' sustained rhetorical campaign against consumerism. It shows that Yugoslavia's distinctive consumer culture and the commercial promotion that sustained it gave rise to a different sort of egalitarianism based on participation in a new Yugoslav Dream, one rooted in consumption.

This book traces the growth of customs and excise, and their integral role in shaping the framework of industrial England; including state power, technical advance, and the evolution of a consumer ...
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This book traces the growth of customs and excise, and their integral role in shaping the framework of industrial England; including state power, technical advance, and the evolution of a consumer society. Central to this structure was the development of two economies — one legal and one illicit. If there was a unique English pathway of industrialization, it was less a distinct entrepreneurial and techno-centric culture, than one predominantly defined within an institutional framework spearheaded by the excise and a wall of tariffs. This process reached its peak by the end of the 1770s. The structure then quickly started to crumble under the weight of the fiscal-military state, and Pitt's calculated policy of concentrating industrial policy around cotton, potteries, and iron — at the expense of other taxed industries. The breakthrough of the new political economy was the erosion of the illicit economy; the smugglers' free trade now became the state's most powerful weapon in the war against non-legal trade. If at the beginning of the period covered by this book state administration was predominantly deregulated and industry regulated, by the close the reverse was the case.Less

William J. Ashworth

Published in print: 2003-07-17

This book traces the growth of customs and excise, and their integral role in shaping the framework of industrial England; including state power, technical advance, and the evolution of a consumer society. Central to this structure was the development of two economies — one legal and one illicit. If there was a unique English pathway of industrialization, it was less a distinct entrepreneurial and techno-centric culture, than one predominantly defined within an institutional framework spearheaded by the excise and a wall of tariffs. This process reached its peak by the end of the 1770s. The structure then quickly started to crumble under the weight of the fiscal-military state, and Pitt's calculated policy of concentrating industrial policy around cotton, potteries, and iron — at the expense of other taxed industries. The breakthrough of the new political economy was the erosion of the illicit economy; the smugglers' free trade now became the state's most powerful weapon in the war against non-legal trade. If at the beginning of the period covered by this book state administration was predominantly deregulated and industry regulated, by the close the reverse was the case.

This chapter explores what the movement toward consumerism meant for the making and unmaking of the Yugoslav experiment in reformist socialism and multiethnic comity. It shows how consumerism gave ...
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This chapter explores what the movement toward consumerism meant for the making and unmaking of the Yugoslav experiment in reformist socialism and multiethnic comity. It shows how consumerism gave rise to a new New Class whose membership was predicated upon participation in a modern style of mass consumption, a complex of behaviors, tastes, and attitudes that in many respects resembled those seen in the classic Western sites of contemporary consumer society. It also considers how popular consumer culture, paired with the market culture cultivated by the new business elites, became a defining feature of Yugoslav daily life. Finally, it examines the nature of the consumerist New Class and its implications for the final stage of downturn and disillusionment in Yugoslavia caused by the contradictions of consumerism and the end of the Yugoslav Dream.Less

Needing It : The Eclipse of the Dream, the Collapse of Socialism, and the Death of Yugoslavia

Patrick Hyder Patterson

Published in print: 2011-12-02

This chapter explores what the movement toward consumerism meant for the making and unmaking of the Yugoslav experiment in reformist socialism and multiethnic comity. It shows how consumerism gave rise to a new New Class whose membership was predicated upon participation in a modern style of mass consumption, a complex of behaviors, tastes, and attitudes that in many respects resembled those seen in the classic Western sites of contemporary consumer society. It also considers how popular consumer culture, paired with the market culture cultivated by the new business elites, became a defining feature of Yugoslav daily life. Finally, it examines the nature of the consumerist New Class and its implications for the final stage of downturn and disillusionment in Yugoslavia caused by the contradictions of consumerism and the end of the Yugoslav Dream.

This chapter addresses the role played by consumer society and consumer culture in the growth of the debt problem. The fundamental argument is based on the fact that American society, specifically ...
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This chapter addresses the role played by consumer society and consumer culture in the growth of the debt problem. The fundamental argument is based on the fact that American society, specifically its economy, underwent a change from a society dominated by production to one in which consumption rivaled, or exceeded, production in importance. This shift to consumption—or “hyper” consumption—is not fueled solely by the foibles of individual consumers themselves. Industry and government alike have manipulated consumers to the end of promoting consumption, and “cathedrals of consumption” (e.g., casinos, shopping malls, and theme parks) sprang up after World War II and lured consumers into consuming what they did not even realize they needed—because in fact they did not. Finally, the chapter explores contexts for “hyper” developments, namely, capitalism, the manipulation of time and space in contemporary capitalism, and globalization.Less

“Hyperconsumption” and “Hyperdebt”: A “Hypercritical” Analysis

George Ritzer

Published in print: 2012-10-23

This chapter addresses the role played by consumer society and consumer culture in the growth of the debt problem. The fundamental argument is based on the fact that American society, specifically its economy, underwent a change from a society dominated by production to one in which consumption rivaled, or exceeded, production in importance. This shift to consumption—or “hyper” consumption—is not fueled solely by the foibles of individual consumers themselves. Industry and government alike have manipulated consumers to the end of promoting consumption, and “cathedrals of consumption” (e.g., casinos, shopping malls, and theme parks) sprang up after World War II and lured consumers into consuming what they did not even realize they needed—because in fact they did not. Finally, the chapter explores contexts for “hyper” developments, namely, capitalism, the manipulation of time and space in contemporary capitalism, and globalization.

This chapter provides substantive consideration of where choice in its modern ideological and institutional form comes from, and the place of choice in a consumer society. It discusses how ...
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This chapter provides substantive consideration of where choice in its modern ideological and institutional form comes from, and the place of choice in a consumer society. It discusses how industrialisation has paved the way for constant development of technology, thus producing an economy, and a society based upon it, in which change is seen as inevitable, continuous, and beneficial. It also explores the political consequences of industrialisation and the complications that arose with industrial market capitalism. It explains the two strategies that could remedy the defects in the market based industrial economy, capitalism — the socialist and the social democratic. It examines the importance of the new Right which lies in its capacity to recognise the direction of change, and to be seen to be capitalising on its advantages. It evaluates the politics of consumerist choice and describes credit as an institution central to the continued growth of consumer society.Less

Choice and the consumer society

Michael Clarke

Published in print: 2010-02-17

This chapter provides substantive consideration of where choice in its modern ideological and institutional form comes from, and the place of choice in a consumer society. It discusses how industrialisation has paved the way for constant development of technology, thus producing an economy, and a society based upon it, in which change is seen as inevitable, continuous, and beneficial. It also explores the political consequences of industrialisation and the complications that arose with industrial market capitalism. It explains the two strategies that could remedy the defects in the market based industrial economy, capitalism — the socialist and the social democratic. It examines the importance of the new Right which lies in its capacity to recognise the direction of change, and to be seen to be capitalising on its advantages. It evaluates the politics of consumerist choice and describes credit as an institution central to the continued growth of consumer society.

This chapter examines the unorthodox socialist critique of consumer culture developed by a group of revisionist Marxists skeptical of—and even openly antagonistic toward—the market-oriented premises ...
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This chapter examines the unorthodox socialist critique of consumer culture developed by a group of revisionist Marxists skeptical of—and even openly antagonistic toward—the market-oriented premises (and promises) of self-management socialism in Yugoslavia. More specifically, it considers the disapproval that issued continually from a circle of critics aligned with Praxis, a sociologically oriented journal that functioned as a major outlet for left-wing Marxist-humanist thought. The chapter first discusses the Praxis critique of capitalism, and especially consumerism and its hedonistic-utilitarian culture. It then considers the journal's position regarding the threat of consumerism to socialism, with particular emphasis on its critique of market culture and self-management. It also assesses the implications of the New Left critique of consumerism and the Praxisrevisionists' indictment of consumer society, which it argues could also be seen as a challenge to the fundamental direction of Yugoslav society and the legitimacy of those in power.Less

Fighting It : New Left Attacks on the Consumerist Establishment and the Yugoslav Dream

Patrick Hyder Patterson

Published in print: 2011-12-02

This chapter examines the unorthodox socialist critique of consumer culture developed by a group of revisionist Marxists skeptical of—and even openly antagonistic toward—the market-oriented premises (and promises) of self-management socialism in Yugoslavia. More specifically, it considers the disapproval that issued continually from a circle of critics aligned with Praxis, a sociologically oriented journal that functioned as a major outlet for left-wing Marxist-humanist thought. The chapter first discusses the Praxis critique of capitalism, and especially consumerism and its hedonistic-utilitarian culture. It then considers the journal's position regarding the threat of consumerism to socialism, with particular emphasis on its critique of market culture and self-management. It also assesses the implications of the New Left critique of consumerism and the Praxisrevisionists' indictment of consumer society, which it argues could also be seen as a challenge to the fundamental direction of Yugoslav society and the legitimacy of those in power.

This book examines Yugoslavia's consumer society and its consequences for both the life and the death of the country's experiment in reformist socialism and multiethnic federalism. Yugoslavia is a ...
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This book examines Yugoslavia's consumer society and its consequences for both the life and the death of the country's experiment in reformist socialism and multiethnic federalism. Yugoslavia is a country with a system of government that many once considered to be the best of all possible socialisms: a bold and noble, if flawed, experiment in tolerance and flexibility. The results were striking and the implications profound. From the mid-1950s on the political climate in Yugoslavia permitted, and later even encouraged, the acquisition of various consumer goods and services, and the consumption of experiences like holiday getaways, moviegoing, dancing and drinking in discotheques, and foreign travel. Focusing on the socialist period from 1945 to 1991, and especially the 1960s and 1970s, this book explores the varying social, cultural, and political meanings of consumption in Yugoslavia. The goal is to understand whether consumer culture mattered in Yugoslavia, with particular emphasis on the Yugoslav vision of the Good Life and the Yugoslav Dream.Less

Getting It : Making Sense of Socialist Consumer Culture

Patrick Hyder Patterson

Published in print: 2011-12-02

This book examines Yugoslavia's consumer society and its consequences for both the life and the death of the country's experiment in reformist socialism and multiethnic federalism. Yugoslavia is a country with a system of government that many once considered to be the best of all possible socialisms: a bold and noble, if flawed, experiment in tolerance and flexibility. The results were striking and the implications profound. From the mid-1950s on the political climate in Yugoslavia permitted, and later even encouraged, the acquisition of various consumer goods and services, and the consumption of experiences like holiday getaways, moviegoing, dancing and drinking in discotheques, and foreign travel. Focusing on the socialist period from 1945 to 1991, and especially the 1960s and 1970s, this book explores the varying social, cultural, and political meanings of consumption in Yugoslavia. The goal is to understand whether consumer culture mattered in Yugoslavia, with particular emphasis on the Yugoslav vision of the Good Life and the Yugoslav Dream.

This chapter examines the primary factors that shaped market culture in Yugoslavia, with particular emphasis on the role played by specialists in advertising, retailing, and marketing, and by media ...
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This chapter examines the primary factors that shaped market culture in Yugoslavia, with particular emphasis on the role played by specialists in advertising, retailing, and marketing, and by media institutions such as television and the popular press. Beginning in the mid-1950s, advertising specialists gradually turned Yugoslavia into something without parallel in the world of state socialism: a place where, on a regular basis, ordinary citizens were bombarded with advertising messages. This chapter traces the rise of a domestic advertising industry amid socialist Yugoslavia's surprising and rapid transformation into a consumer society between 1950 and 1980. It also discusses the end of the Yugoslav Dream during the period 1980–1991, triggered in large part by country's economic decline.Less

Making It : Building a Socialist Brand of Market Culture

Patrick Hyder Patterson

Published in print: 2011-12-02

This chapter examines the primary factors that shaped market culture in Yugoslavia, with particular emphasis on the role played by specialists in advertising, retailing, and marketing, and by media institutions such as television and the popular press. Beginning in the mid-1950s, advertising specialists gradually turned Yugoslavia into something without parallel in the world of state socialism: a place where, on a regular basis, ordinary citizens were bombarded with advertising messages. This chapter traces the rise of a domestic advertising industry amid socialist Yugoslavia's surprising and rapid transformation into a consumer society between 1950 and 1980. It also discusses the end of the Yugoslav Dream during the period 1980–1991, triggered in large part by country's economic decline.

This chapter examines how Josip Broz Tito and Yugoslavia's state authorities responded to the capitalist-style consumer society that emerged in the late 1960s. Socialist critics challenged the new ...
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This chapter examines how Josip Broz Tito and Yugoslavia's state authorities responded to the capitalist-style consumer society that emerged in the late 1960s. Socialist critics challenged the new Yugoslav culture of commercialism and the promotional activities that were driving it. However, the Yugoslav political-administrative establishment had produced surprisingly little in the way of official or even quasi-official rules or guidelines regarding these phenomena. This absence of concrete governmental measures to restrict market culture and check the perceived excesses of consumer culture is one of the most noticeable and distinctive features of the political history of consumption in Yugoslavia. This chapter argues that the state authorities' response to consumerism often did not match the intensity of the public debate, tending instead toward a pattern of fitful accommodation and resistance, with remarkable toleration punctuated by occasional ideological assaults for the purposes of discipline and restraint.Less

Taming It : The Party-State Establishment and the Perils of Pleasure

Patrick Hyder Patterson

Published in print: 2011-12-02

This chapter examines how Josip Broz Tito and Yugoslavia's state authorities responded to the capitalist-style consumer society that emerged in the late 1960s. Socialist critics challenged the new Yugoslav culture of commercialism and the promotional activities that were driving it. However, the Yugoslav political-administrative establishment had produced surprisingly little in the way of official or even quasi-official rules or guidelines regarding these phenomena. This absence of concrete governmental measures to restrict market culture and check the perceived excesses of consumer culture is one of the most noticeable and distinctive features of the political history of consumption in Yugoslavia. This chapter argues that the state authorities' response to consumerism often did not match the intensity of the public debate, tending instead toward a pattern of fitful accommodation and resistance, with remarkable toleration punctuated by occasional ideological assaults for the purposes of discipline and restraint.